Tag: QB Norm Snead 1961-63

Former Washington QB dies at 84

Snead was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1961 NFL draft by Washington.

Norm Snead, who was selected to two Pro Bowls as Washington Redskins quarterback from 1961 to 1963, died Sunday in Naples, Florida, at the age of 84.

Snead grew up in Newport News, Virginia, and attended Wake Forest. During his last two years for the Demon Deacons, he was first-team All-ACC. He was taken by the Redskins with the second overall selection of the 1961 NFL draft.

Washington struggled during Snead’s tenure, posting records of 1-12-1 (1961), 5-7-2 (1962) and 3-11 (1963).

Following the disappointing 1963 season, Snead was traded to the rival Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for QB Sonny Jurgensen.

Jurgensen came to Washington and had a tremendous career, resulting in his being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 1983. Snead would start a total of 159 games for the Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. His teams had a record of only 52-100-7 in those games, and his 257 interceptions rank sixth all-time.

Commenting years later on the trade, Jurgensen said: “Maybe it was a good thing for Norm, too. Because he had been thrust on the field as a rookie without the surrounding cast that a young quarterback needs. There’s no question he could throw the ball. He just needed surrounding people. So, it was good for him to get out and start fresh.”

One of the more unusual facts regarding Snead’s career was that he was traded for two Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Not only was he traded for Jurgensen in 1964, but he was also dealt for Fran Tarkenton in 1972.

The latter trade brought Snead to the Giants, where he enjoyed perhaps his best NFL season, leading the NFL in completion percentage and earning a Pro Bowl selection as the Giants went 8-6. However, it was mostly overlooked because Dallas (the defending Super Bowl champion) and Washington (the NFC champion that season) were both in the top tier of NFL teams in 1972.

Snead had a big arm, but because his teams were so often playing from behind, he led the NFL in interceptions in four different seasons (1963, 1968, 1969, 1973).

Snead passed for 30,797 yards and 196 touchdowns in his career (1961-1976). He was voted to the Pro Bowl four times.

Commanders season opener in 16 days: Washington’s best No. 16

Lots of interesting names have worn the No. 16 jersey for Washington.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 16 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 16?

Several players have worn jersey No. 16 in Washington history whom readers will recall but did not have abundant success for the Redskins.

Stan Humphries (1989-90) appeared to be more physically gifted but was beaten out by Mark Rypien and subsequently traded to San Diego.

Rich Gannon (1993) started four games for Washington in 1993. He later matured into a fine quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and later an All-Pro and AFC champion with the Oakland Raiders.

Colt McCoy (2014-18) wore No. 16 his first two seasons in Washington and then switched to No. 12 for his final three seasons in Washington. His finest game came at Dallas on MNF when McCoy completed 25 of 30 attempts for 299 yards in a 20-17 Washington win in 2014.

Ed Rubbert (1987), a quarterback, led Washington to wins in the strike-shortened season of 1987. He was one of the “scabs” signed by Charley Casserly and Bobby Beathard.

Gary Beban (1968-69) was a quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner at UCLA, traded to Washington when the Rams could not sign him. Sonny Jurgensen would turn 34 a few months later, and the Redskins had their quarterback of the future. However, Beban lasted only two seasons and never started an NFL game.

Richie Petitbon (1971-72) was traded for by George Allen. He started at safety in 1971 but was injured in the third game of 1972 and retired following the season. He later was Washington’s defensive coordinator and head coach in 1993.

Norm Snead (1961-63) was drafted 2nd overall by Washington in 1961. He played and started in every game in his three Washington seasons, passing for 46 touchdowns. He led the NFL with 27 interceptions in 1963. He was then traded to Philadelphia in exchange for another quarterback, Sonny Jurgensen.